Monday, October 3, 2011

Is Stewardship a Dirty Word?

When I say the word
“Stewardship” – how do you react? Is
it a dirty word to you? Do you know what it means? Have you ever heard that word used outside of the
church? When I google the word
stewardship, the first link to pop up directs me to Wikipedia, which defines
stewardship as: “an
ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources.” Wikipedia then goes on to talk about
how the word was used historically. In other words, it is not a word that
is in circulation much these days.
The 25 links that follow the Wikipedia link are direct links to church
resources. So I have to ask the
question, “Are we living in the ice ages?
Do we even know how to talk in a way that is relevant to people?”

After my google search, I went to the Thesaurus. I thought maybe I could find a synonym
that would shed a more contemporary light on this word. But it wasn’t the synonyms to
stewardship that spoke to me. It
was the antonyms. Sometimes it is
easier to define something by first defining what it is not. The antonyms to
stewardship as listed in the online thesaurus are as follows: destruction, neglect, spending,
squandering, waste. OK – that got
my attention! In other words, to
not pay attention to stewardship is wasteful. And to cease to be good stewards is not just lazy, it is
destructive.

When I first entered into ordained ministry, I would get heart
palpitations during the season we refer to as “stewardship season.” I would fret endlessly about how people
would perceive being asked for money in church. I was scared of the people who would leave on a Sunday
morning grumbling something to the effect of - “All the church wants is our
money”. When the stewardship committee
asked me to preach a ‘good stewardship sermon’, I would carefully craft my
words so as not to offend anyone.

I’m over that now. Why
am I over it? Because I have seen
evidence in families, in churches, in businesses, in nations – that to fail to
address stewardship is destructive, wasteful and neglectful – just like the
thesaurus says.

We say over and over in our church that stewardship is not just
about your money. And that is 100%
true! Stewardship is about how we
care for EVERYTHING that God has given to us. It’s how we care for our families, our homes, our bodies,
our environment. It’s how we use
our God-given talents and how we live as Christians in the workplace. If we embrace this definition of
Stewardship, then EVERY sermon should be a ‘good stewardship sermon.’

So stewardship IS about how we live all of our lives in response to
God’s love. But there is this
season – and it is the season our church, Easter Lutheran Church, is in right
now – when we specifically talk about financial stewardship and ask people to
give generously to a ministry that literally changes lives every single day.

I am completely unashamed to ask for people to give generously to
Easter Lutheran Church because I see daily evidence that God is working in this
place and through these people. It
is not just about keeping the lights on and the air conditioning running in the
summer, it is about SO MUCH MORE. It
would be destructive and wasteful to not ask people to respond in such a
way. Going with the whole rule of
opposites, let’s look at some of the things that could NOT have happened
without the generous gifts of the people of Easter:

A memorial service for a young man who did not have a church home, whose family
was shocked at his death and wondering where to turn. Easter stepped in with offers of food, counseling services,
space to grieve and be together, musicians and facilities for a memorial
service, pastoral care and counseling for over 700 youth and their parents, and
the message of Hope that God through Jesus Christ has conquered death and the
grave.

A
place where hundreds of families who don’t have the means can come and receive
school supplies for the fall and coats, hats and mittens for the winter months
– all donated by the generosity of Easter people and the surrounding community.

A
young girl in Tanzania who would have literally died except that Pastor Paul
had resources on his hands from the generous people of Easter to transport her
to the nearest hospital. Not to mention the hundreds of young Tanzanians who
have received an education otherwise out of their financial grasp.

A job
transition group that, over two and 1/2 years, has supported 825 people through the
life-changing reality of job loss and a ridiculous economy. Not just helping people find a job, but
inviting them to discover God’s calling in their life along the way.

Weddings,
Baptisms, Small groups, Youth Mission Trips, Thousands of pounds of food
donations, worship services that are inspiring and draw people closer to God,
Bible Studies that literally transform people’s lives, Divorce Care that meets
people on a devastating journey from brokenness to healing…..I could go on for
hours!

So – as it turns out – stewardship is NOT a dirty word, and it
certainly isn’t irrelevant. If anything,
it needs a rebirth and the church can lead the way!

All of this is to say – first of all – God is doing AMAZING things
in the world – and God is doing these amazing things through YOU. Every time I turn around I see evidence
of God’s fingerprints on people’s lives.
Whether you go to Easter Lutheran Church or whether you participate in a
ministry that is far from this place – I want to invite you to consider that
God is begging, calling, pleading with you to join with Him in changing the
world with love. And yes, love can
look like dollar signs. I say that
now without heart palpitations because I am convinced that Jesus calls us to be
good stewards of ALL of our resources.
To not do so would be – well – it would be destructive.

For further reflection, read Matthew 25:14-30. Are you willing to take risks for God?

I'm Into Grace. Big time.

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About Me

I am passionate about life - especially about God's love. But not the kind of God love that brings guilt or shame or judgment. The God love I'm talking about is the kind that brings freedom and wholeness. I'm a mom, a wife, a pastor and I take very seriously my job of being a good friend. I'm happiest when I get enough exercise. Hard to do! Mostly - I just love my life!